London homes at high risk of overheating, report warns

London's homes are ill-equipped to cope with rising temperatures, with 75 per cent of social housing stock considered at high risk of overheating. This situation could put over one million children at increased risk of health issues, according to a new report from a cross-party group of Assembly Members.

The report highlights that 86 per cent of Londoners experienced overheating in their homes in 2025, leading to difficulties sleeping and negative impacts on mental and physical health. This comes as the Met Office indicates this summer is on course to be the UK's hottest since records began, with predictions of longer and more intense heatwaves.

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Call for accelerated retrofitting

The London Assembly planning and regeneration committee has warned Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan that more focus is needed on accelerating the retrofitting of homes through passive cooling measures. These measures, such as external shading, reduce indoor heat without consuming energy. Active cooling, like air conditioning, should be reserved for vulnerable households, the committee stated.

David Simmonds, shadow minister for levelling up, housing and communities, stated that confusing regulations for planting trees alongside streets are leading to less greenery, exposing more residents to heatwave harm. He added that Londoners are dying due to restrictive rules on air conditioning.

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The committee concluded that more radical action is required for both new builds and existing housing stock to prevent future heat-related deaths. London's homes are currently not adapted to the temperatures the capital is experiencing, let alone those projected for future decades.

Existing initiatives and future plans

City Hall has acknowledged the need for significant reforms to prepare for extreme conditions. The Greater London Authority's (GLA) Heat Ready London strategy, launched in June, outlines plans to expand access to cool spaces and increase urban greening. The GLA and London Councils are also piloting shutters and awnings as part of their retrofit of 12,000 homes, cited as a key example of good practice.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London stated that the report and its recommendations will be carefully considered. They added that through Heat Ready London and the Draft new London Plan, the mayor is already working to reduce overheating in homes and make the capital more resilient to climate change.

The committee's recommendations aim to provide practical steps for the Mayor, government, and the housing sector to enhance London's resilience to rising temperatures and protect residents from the increasing threat of extreme heat.